HOW TO BOOK UGANDA GORILLA PERMIT: COST FOR TREKKING IN BWINDI & MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARKS.
Are you planning a gorilla trek in Africa and thinking of how to book Uganda gorilla permit? It is essential to book gorilla trekking permit in advance if you are interested in gorilla safaris in Uganda or Rwanda. Gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga in Uganda should be booked for at least 6 months and above before the actual date of trekking. People also ask;
What is a gorilla permit?
A gorilla permit is a legal document that allow a visitor to trek and see habituated gorillas in their natural habitat for a period of one hour per day.
Booking gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is nolonger done directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by visitors, you must book and purchase a gorilla permit through a trusted tour company in Uganda which takes reponsiblity to book a permit on your behalf. Gorilla Safaris Experts team will help you to book your gorilla permit and handle your gorilla trekking trip formalities in Uganda or Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda is subject to availability of gorilla permit and must be booked ahead of your trekking day to avoid disappointments on a start point. It’s recommended that you deposit gorilla permit fees as soon as you confirm your trip in order for the company to secure your slot is booked.
A limited number of permits are available everyday meaning that there is a lot of competition for gorilla permits especially in peak season between months of June and September and from December to March. Therefore, booking your permit as early as 6 months will save you the hassle to get one or even save you missing a chance to visit the gorillas at your desired time.
To book a Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, you need to consider your choice of trekking locations or call it Sectors in Bwindi forest these include; Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo sector and Nyakagezi in Mgahinga gorilla national park. As you organize and book gorilla Safari in Uganda, consider advance payment deposit to enable your tour company purchase gorilla permit early and get you a perfect gorilla trekking sector and off course book your stay in the best gorilla lodge.
Where to See gorillas in Africa?
Mountain gorillas are found only in three Africa countries which include; Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The Mountain gorillas are endangered therefore, to protect them from extinction, the government conservation organizations in these countries have restricted the frequency of visits to see the gorillas.
Only 8 people are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family per day and allowed only one hour with them. The minimum age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years. In other wards a person to go for gorilla trekking in either Uganda, Rwanda and Congo must be 15 years and above.
No booking Gorilla Permit directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by Visitors.
You may contact Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) reservations office in Kampala through an email or phone call inquiring of the availability of the permits on your desired date, month and year plus the location where you want to trek gorillas. When it comes to purchasing the permit, Uganda wildlife Authority will refer you to book and purchase your permit through a trusted tour operator in Uganda.
If the said dates or location are already reserved, you will be advised on the possible dates and location with availability in which you can choose the most convenient for you through your trusted tour agency.
Once the the agency have got a date and location, you will pay the tour operator which will also go to purchase directly from UWA by paying on their accounts together with the charges. If interested to see a document, your tour operator will send a scanned proof of payment in Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
Booking Gorilla permit must be through a Trusted Tour Operator in Uganda.
If you are interested in Mountain gorilla trekking, the simplest way is to just contact the best tour company in Uganda such as Adventures To Gorilla Africa Ltd. This tour company has expertise to provide the needed information and they will go through the hasstle for you to get the gorilla permit. No extra charges when booking gorilla Safari with a trusted tour company that will at the some time handle transfers, guidance and accommodation arrangements. If you only book a gorilla permit and do self drive, a small fee will be charged to cover some costs that the tour agency will incur while trying to get in touch with Uganda wildlife Authority on your behalf.
Given that the local tour operator on the ground have enough knowledge about different locations and so will make good choice for you to meet your preference. Budget, for example they choose a location to match your accommodation.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in two national parks which is Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. All gorilla permits for these two parks must be booked from Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Kampala, and there is No permit booking upon arrival at the park offices/ On the ground.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also allows visitors to participate in gorilla habituation process which allows visitors stay up to 4 hours with gorillas on each day visit. The gorilla habituation permits are also booked similarly to the normal gorilla trekking permits.
The Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda for 2026 – 2027. (Low Season)
Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced low season gorilla permit 2026/2027 applicable during the months of April, May and November as follows;
- Foreign non resident visitors will pay $600.
- Foreign residents will pay $ 500 to purchase a gorilla permit for visiting mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks.
- Rest of Africa Permit $500
- East African residents pay 300,000 Uganda shillings to visit gorillas.
- A Uganda Gorilla habituation permits cost USD 1800. as of 2026/2027 Tariff.
DR Congo Gorilla permit cost USD 400. (Gorilla trekking in Congo is closed!!!)
Price of a Rwanda Gorilla Permit for 2026.
Go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. (Peak Season). Rwanda Gorilla permit can be booked through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or through a trusted tour operator like Gorilla Safari Experts by Adventures To Gorilla Africa Ltd. This tour company will handle all your tour formalities like booking Rwanda gorilla permit, transfers, accommodation and handling your transportation while touring Rwanda.
- International Visitors, gorilla permit fees remain at USD 1500.
- For Foreign Residents in Rwanda gorilla permit from USD 500.
- Rwanda Gorilla permits for nationals of Rwanda and all East African Citizen cost from USD 200.
Cost of gorilla permit in Uganda 2026/2027. (Peak Season)
- Uganda foreign non-residents permit cost $800.
- Foreign residents in East Africa Uganda gorilla permits reduced from $700.
- Rest of Africa trekking permit cost $500
- East African residents gorilla trekking permit reduced from UGX 300,000 Uganda shillings.
- A Uganda Gorilla habituation permits cost remain at USD 1800
Come and travel with us, we will help you book Uganda gorilla permit for trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
